Closing Arguments Continue In Currie Trial

Joseph Evans, an attorney for Sen. Ulysses Currie, told jurors in federal court Thursday morning too many people knew about his activities for it to be a case of bribery, according to the Associated Press. He says Currie even told an ethics officer for the Maryland General Assembly about a consulting deal with Shoppers Food Warehouse. Evans says lobbyists for two competing grocery stores also knew of the agreement.

Evans says Currie shouldn't have voted on legislation that enabled Shoppers to transfer a liquor license between stores, but that it was not a bribe or federal crime.

Currie is charged with bribery, extortion, conspiracy and making false statements over $245,000 in payments he received over several years from Shoppers.

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